Vehicles will be stopped from going through Spalding town centre during the day from next spring, amid claims motorists are the biggest cause of anti-social behaviour there.
Following a consultation, Lincolnshire County Council is progressing with plans to rewrite the TRO (traffic regulation order) and place a barrier on Broad Street between 10am and 4pm each day.
Vehicles are meant to be banned during these times, but it’s not policed and is largely ignored by motorists.
Speaking to Spalding Town Forum, South Holland District Council’s Matthew Hoggard said: “The TRO is generally considered to be poorly worded and therefore unenforceable in terms of trying to address the issue of people trying to drive through or park.
“Overwhelmingly the public wanted it to be a car free area and the TRO enforced in a way it was having an impact on the ground.
“There’s some work the council needs to do to make this effective including signage but they’re working on that work to be completed by the spring.
“Putting in the gate is fairly easy, it’s just the maintenance that’s the issue.
“The Spalding Business Improvement District has been voted in and one of things they want to do is to support better enforcement and management of areas of the town centre as well so there’s a potential conversation with them about how they might play a role in this working as well.”
Coun Rob Gibson, the chair of the forum, said: “We wanted to make sure this has teeth and once that TRO happens, traffic will be policed.
“People shouldn’t be able to park there.
“There will be a barrier and if they’re parked there overnight it’s something the traffic wardens can enforce.
“If somehow people move the barrier, that’s something the police can enforce.
“We’ve had gentle conversations with the police over the last six months to say, when this goes live, we need some support. The feeling from the police is warm that they will be there to support us.”
Coun Elizabeth Sneath said more disabled parking near the town centre was needed before the new measures are in place.
“They’ll be in slightly different place to make the access to town much easier for people who have walking difficulties,” she said.
Forum member David Jones said: “I’d like to remind the public the greatest culprit of anti-social behaviour in the town centre are actually motorists.
“There’s a larger number of motorists doing inconsiderate things than there are shop lifters, druggies and whatever else.
“It’s a point I’ve made, but nobody else seems to like it much because we all drive.”
